Brrrr… A real Winter that was… but Spring is here! a little later than usual but experts predict when it does arrive, it will burst into bloom in a riot of colour, with everything flowering at once. The tulips are definitely ahead of the daffs at the moment.

The Irish Times
Front page Press Coverage Irish Times 20th Feb 2010
HIDEAWAY Cottages in Spectacular Settings
“Cutting Edge Cottages” by Sandra O’Connell
To quote “If you want luxury in spectacular, secluded settings, then look no further…for seaside luxury you will be hard pressed to beat The Cottages, super plush thatched cottages at Bettystown”… with great pics, we were so delighted with such wonderful coverage!

4 4 2 Spring Special

Another exclusive Spring Offer for our repeat guests! Introduce your friends to The Cottages for free. Come stay in Rose Cottage, The
Apple Loft or Garden Cottage, de-stress in total comfort, enjoy the spring garden, long beach walks, and scrummy brunch in Relish or just chill in comfort. Accommodation for 4 people for 3 nights at the rate for 2, 390/ £330 (indicator) all inclusive (ex Easter).

Top Award for Ely Cook Book

(copy in your cottage) Well done to nephew Erik and Michelle what an amazing achievement!

Out of 6,000 entries from 136 entries we are delighted to announce ‘the wine and food of ely through the seasons’ has won 3 awards at the 2010 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris. 2nd in the World for ‘Best Book for matching Food & Wine’. Winner ‘Best Book for matching Food & Wine’ for Ireland. Winner ‘Best Wine Book’ for Ireland.

Thatching… Cottage re-ridging…

Peter Childs and his team are doing a great job of re-ridging the cottages, a job that needs doing every 10 years or so, great to see this wonderful craft in action, have you seen Monty Don’s “Mastercrafts” BBC programme on Thatching you can catch it on IPlayer or for real at The Cottages in March, April.

The Village

Continues to grow, new additions are “Bistro BT” a new ‘Relish’ style Cafe on the beach front, and we now have a large Tesco in the New Village Centre great for the big holiday shop.

The City Grand Canal Theatre

Opens 18th March, Swan Lake O2 Dublin Shows and Concerts Direct Coach service to Dublin going strong 12 return. The Early Bird at ‘Ely’ and a Show is a great Combo. Art, Culture, Music, Guinness, Shopping, and of course as we say in Ireland The Craic!!!

Dates for your Diary

St. Patrick’s Festival of Events  http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/
Meath Tourism Festivals and Events http://www.meath.ie/Tourism/EventsFestivalsandNews/ (edit: See Discover Boyne Valley now)
Easter Egg hunt, Newgrange Farm 4th and 5th April http://www.newgrangefarm.com/
Trim Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2nd – 5th April http://www.trimballoonfiesta.com/
National Sand Castle Competition 27th June – Open Entry
Art in Action 5th – 7th June Bank Holiday weekend http://www.artinaction.ie/ (edit: link now expired)
Laytown Strand Horse Races 7th September.
**Solheim Cup 23rd Sept 2011 at Killeen Castle (photo) http://www.solheimcup.com

Happy St Patrick’s Day! All the best, Roger, Liz and the Team. Looking after your dream holiday cottage by the sea for 102 years.

Download the PDF version of the Spring 2010 Newsletter